You are viewing this document in text format. If you would like to adjust the margins or font to make it more legible or easier to print, we recommend you save the document to your hard-drive. To save the document, choose, "File," "save As...," then select a directory on your computer. (Please note: If you exit this document, you will exit the Perkins Website. To return to the site at any time, click on the "Back" button.) The Lantern, Spring 2004 In this issue: The Perkins Family, In the Community, Perkins 175th Anniversary Inside Front Cover Caption: Please join us to celebrate Perkins 175 years of creating miracles. Cover Photo Caption: An examination at Perkins Low Vision Clinic, which is run in association with the New England Eye Institute. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT: As we approach another spring, I continue to be amazed everyday by the Perkins family. Students overcome obstacles. Adults strive to their fullest independence. Staff make an important difference daily. Volunteers, donors, Trustees, Members of the Corporation and other friends come together to help dreams become reality. Thank you for reading The Lantern magazine at the beginning of Perkins' 175th Anniversary. From this spring through the entire 2004-2005 school year, we will be celebrating 175 years of Perkins miracles. We invite everyone to enjoy our concerts, open houses and other festivities on campus and in the community. Updated information will be available on our Website, www.Perkins.org. As always, I am grateful for your continued support of the 40,000 children and adults receiving services from Perkins School for the Blind on our campus, in the community and throughout the world. Together, we are making a difference in so many lives. Your continued support is appreciated and truly valuable. Sincerely, Steven M. Rothstein, President Perkins School for the Blind CONTENTS: The Perkins Family Perkins in the Community - Perkins' services throughout New England Celebrating 175 Years! Reflections- Perkins people and happenings on and off campus Working Together- Ways to be a part of the Perkins family THE LANTERN, SPRING 2004, Volume LXXIII, Number 2 THE PERKINS FAMILY: 175 years ago, the Perkins family began when a handful of Bostonians decided that America needed a school for the blind. Classes began for three children in the house of the first director's parents. Today, over 40,000 people receive services in New England and around the world. The Perkins family has grown to include talented staff, dedicated volunteers, students and alumni living to their full potential, and donors committed to Perkins' mission. Together, the Perkins family has been transforming lives. We thank everyone who helps make the dream of independence a reality. Volunteers - Bobbi York and Balbina Useff have volunteered in Perkins Infant/Toddler Program for 10 and five years, respectively. Both women spend parts of the year in Florida - Balbina for her retirement, and Bobbi because her husband coaches Boston College Hockey. Staff and families are thrilled that both women have dedicated so much time over the years to Perkins. Staff- New Staff Orientation takes place eight times a year welcoming new faces to the long history of accomplished and compassionate people making a difference. About 750 staff work together to help children and adults reach their greatest possible independence. Their expertise is vast. 185 have worked at Perkins for over 10 years, and 46 over 25. Donors- Doris Underwood: For over 15 years, Doris Underwood (pictured with husband) has donated to Perkins, making possible the daily academic and residential and home-based work of Perkins. "I know that Perkins is a very good cause and a very good school. It's rewarding to give to children. I know that Perkins helps others, too, and I feel good about contributing." Denny Family: Every year, the Denny family from Massachusetts collects information on charitable organizations and decides where to send their gift. For the past two years the decision has been up to 14-year-old Amos, and he has chosen Perkins. Helen & Mason Fernald: After almost 30 years of service to Perkins as a trustee and chair of the Thomas H. Perkins Legacy Society, Helen Fernald and her husband Mason were delighted to see old friends and meet new people at an evening introducing new members of the corporation to the Perkins family. The Fernalds' generosity toward Perkins goes far beyond volunteer service. They have made several gifts over the years as an expression of admiration for Perkins' work. The Fernalds so enjoyed the evening that they established a second charitable gift annuity with low-yielding stock. The annuity does more than further the work of Perkins-it provides the Fernalds with income for life. "We are paying tribute to the 175 years of Perkins' leadership in the blind community here and around the world." Alumni - Jimmy Levin: For 18 years, Jimmy has delivered mail and blood samples at Brigham and Women's Hospital. He is severely visually impaired, profoundly deaf, mentally challenged, and a graduate of Perkins Deafblind Program. He travels, collects maps, swims, and lives independently in his own apartment. Jimmy looks forward to every day as a new adventure and is a proud member of the Perkins family. Al Gayzagian: Al is an alumnus of Perkins and earned a high school diploma from Watertown High School. From Harvard, he obtained a bachelor's and a master's in English. In 39 years of working for John Hancock, he rose from typist in salary administration to a senior financial officer. He has written books on computers, received numerous awards, and has held leadership roles in many civic organizations. With his late wife Betty, who was also blind, the Gayzagians became the first Massachusetts blind couple to adopt a sighted child. They adopted two. Since 1976, he has been a member of Perkins Board of Trustees. A man remarkable for his professional and personal achievements, Al Gayzagian continues to be an inspiration for us all, and we are grateful for his leadership in the Perkins family. International Perkins Family - Global family: The Perkins family stretches around the globe. Teachers have studied at Perkins from nearly 100 different countries. Perkins runs international trainings for professionals and parents, and works with projects for children who are deafblind or have multiple disabilities in 50 developing countries. The faces of the Perkins family are everywhere. Students - Goalball team: Perkins students strive to be all they can. They succeed in the classroom, the gym and on the job. They are role models for one another and inspirations for us all. PERKINS IN THE COMMUNITY Perkins' services reach far beyond campus. Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library helps 18,000 people read throughout New England, Perkins Braillers can be found all over the world, and the Hilton/Perkins Program touches children and their parents in 50 developing countries. Right here in Massachusetts and the rest of New England, Perkins reaches almost 30,000 children, elders and professionals in schools, centers, and their homes. Infants, Toddlers & Preschoolers - Every year, Perkins professionals go into over 450 Massachusetts homes to help parents learn how to encourage the development of their children with visual impairments. They also help preschool age children, their families and their preschools. Elementary & Teen Activities- First to 12th grade students from all over New England get together during weekends, public school vacations and summers to share their experiences and learn new skills. Activities this spring include a vacation theater program culminating in a public performance of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Ernest," and weekends exploring transportation, vocational preparation, goalball, music and horticulture. An annual trip to Space Camp in Alabama is always a highlight. Summer Employment Program- Teenagers experience the world of work through paid jobs in the community and seminars on resume writing, interviewing and other career development skills. They share the responsibilities of living in an apartment. Cape Cod and Western Massachusetts- Teachers of the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility Instructors work with babies, preschool and school age children, as well as their families and the professionals who work with them on Cape Cod and in Western Massachusetts. An office in Hyannis also serves as a resource center. Vision Rehabilitation Services- In association with the New England College of Optometry, the Perkins Low Vision Clinic provides much more than eye exams to the public. The Clinic offers optical and/or non-optical solutions to increase visual functioning for education, employment and daily living. It is also renown for its proficiency in assessment and training of infants, children and adults who have multiple disabilities. Services can take place in one's home, work or living environment. Elders & the Elder Learning Center- Rehabilitation specialists visit elders in their homes to teach adaptive skills to live independently, comfortably and safely. The Elder Learning Center brings together elders with vision loss for adult education classes that enable people to continue living to their fullest. New England Center Deafblind Services Project - Technical assistance, consultation and training for professionals and families of infants, children and youth who are deafblind in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Perkins Training Center - On campus and in other locations, Perkins leads trainings for teachers and other service providers of students who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind. The recently established Training Center will also develop training materials and facilitate distance learning to professionals far from the Boston area. Perkins in the Community section photo captions: 1. Girls in the Elementary Summer Program. 2. A class at the Elder Learning Center. 3. Teenagers visiting the Mayflower near Plymouth Rock. CELEBRATING 175 YEARS! Join us this spring and throughout the 2004-2005 school year to help us celebrate Perkins 175th anniversary as the first school for the blind in the United States. Concerts, open houses and galas are a few of the events for students, staff and the public during this yearlong celebration. Keep checking the Perkins Website, www.Perkins.org, for updated information. Perkins at the State House - Perkins students and staff filled the Grand Staircase of the Massachusetts Statehouse on March 25th in celebration of the 175th anniversary of the incorporation of Perkins School for the Blind. The Governor, the House of Representatives, and the Senate issued an official proclamation to Perkins. Students and alumni read a formal thank you in braille. Legislators, legislative staff and the public learned more about Perkins' 175 years of miracles. About 300 people attended, showing their support for Perkins and the needs of people who are blind, visually impaired, deafblind or have multiple disabilities-especially in these difficult financial times. Photo caption: Chris Jett - pictured with House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran, State Senator Steve Tolman and Chris' interpreter Patricia Salvo - was among several students who made presentations. 175th Anniversary Calendar of Events: New England Family Symposium May 1, 2004 - A conference for families of infants, toddlers and preschoolers who are blind or have low vision, and the professionals who work with them. Day care provided. Light Heard in Zig Zag June 2004 - Performance of an internationally renowned theater group, whose actors are deafblind, Na Laga'at. Diane Schuur September 2004 - Concert at Perkins by acclaimed jazz singer and two-time Grammy Award winner who is blind. Team with a Vision 5K Run & Walk September 18, 2004 - An annual event along the Charles River sponsored by eight Massachusetts agencies serving people who are blind. Field Day October 6, 2004 - Outdoor celebration and kick-off for the 2004-2005 Perkins 175th Anniversary school year. Perkins History Book November 8, 2004 - Launch of Perkins' first history book, 200 pages of photographs and published in the American Campus series of Arcadia Press. Perkins Museum Grand Opening November 8, 2004 -Opening of a permanent museum of Perkins history and achievements with audio and tactile features for people who are blind. Holiday Concerts December 12 & Dec. 16, 2004 - Special holiday concerts by Perkins students. Perkins 175th Quilt Unveiling January 2005 - Unveiling of commemorative quilt made by staff and students. Gala Event Spring 2005 - A special event benefit and grand celebration. Perkins Open House May 2005 - Tours and celebrations on campus for the community. Summer Institutes Symposium June 2005 - Symposium for professionals in the field of education for people who are blind, deafblind or with multiple disabilities. Photo caption: Na Laga' at Theater Troupe of deafblind performers. Photo caption: Diane Schuur REFLECTIONS - Perkins people and happenings on and off campus: Top Dog - Garnet, a handsome 90-lb. German shepherd, smiled as students placed the American Kennel Club's Award of Canine Excellence medal on a ribbon around her neck. About 50 students and staff paid tribute to Garnet with songs, poems, gifts and testimonials about her role as a therapy dog. Students sang James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend," and their own compositions. "It's a really comforting feeling to know she's there for us," asserted one teenager. Therapy takes on many forms, and "Garnet time" has soothed non-verbal children with severe challenges as well as a recent Perkins graduate and current college student who credits Garnet with helping him through difficulties. Valentines that Deliver - Patrons of Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library, which provides reading materials to 18,000 people throughout New England, nominated their favorite mail carriers to receive "Outstanding Talking Book Mail Carrier" awards. From dozens of nominations, three were chosen for bringing as much sunshine as the talking books themselves. Billy Proctor: Edith Rockwell of Lexington wrote, "I hope Billy knows how much his visits mean to me and how important my audio tapes are to me. My macular degeneration has created serious limitation in my activities, and my audio tapes and their 'messenger' bring great pleasure to me. Denise Duffy: "Denise deserves this special award," wrote Matilda Nelson from West Newton, "because... she brings my talking books to my door, rings my bell and makes sure that I have taken them inside." Phillip Lenzi (kneeling below with Jack Bloch): "At 9 months of age, Jack [her son] was diagnosed with cancer and at 10 months he was completely blind," wrote Winchester's Andrea Bloch. "Jack won his battle with cancer. Now, as a curious three-year-old, he is eager to learn about his world... One day Phil took the time to show Jack his truck, mail bag, and how mail is bundled together with rubber bands. Just the other day, Jack had a rubber band in his hand and asked me 'Is this from Postman Phil?'" Photo caption: Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library recognized the excellent and vital work done by all mail carriers bringing reading to patrons throughout New England. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day - For Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, two-dozen Perkins students began a ceremony by reading in braille Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech. The enraptured audience of students and family then heard escaped Sudanese slave and spokesperson for the American Anti-Slavery Group (www.iabolish.com), Francis Bok. He shared his story of his childhood capture, his years in slavery and escape. Francis was the voice of slavery and the voice of possibility. "Try to be everything you can be," he said to Perkins students. "Know your parents are proud of you and know that each of you will be important." At the end, students, Francis and the audience sang together, "We Shall Overcome." While it was tragic to learn how slavery exists today, hope pervaded the auditorium. Hope for the end of slavery. Hope for the right of everyone to live to his or her full potential. Section quote: "Try to be everything you can be." Francis Bok Perkins and the World World-Class Teachers The expertise of the Perkins staff is astounding. During the 2003-2004 year, professionals in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and Latin America have benefited so far from 19 staff members who have led trainings abroad. Highlights include: - Hilton/Perkins staff helping a school in Peru to develop vocational training for teenagers and young adults. - A Perkins staff member leading workshops in Beijing for 25 teachers from six different schools as they expand services to students who are blind with additional disabilities. - Teachers from the Deafblind Program running a workshop on communication and curriculum development in Budapest. - Perkins Preschool staff teaching a course in South Africa for educators of blind children with additional disabilities. In addition, 20 workshops were led in developing countries by local professionals who received their training from Perkins. CHINA World Visitors Since September alone (and in this era of reduced international travel), Perkins has hosted almost 30 international visitors. A doctoral student from England studied Perkins Deafblind Program, and a nun from a school for the blind in Vietnam learned about expanding services to children with additional disabilities. Perkins ran a one-week institute on deafblind education for visiting professionals from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and Lithuania, in addition to the yearlong Educational Leadership Program for professionals from developing countries. WORKING TOGETHER Section quote: "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." Helen Keller, Perkins alumna Perkins offers many ways for you to help adults and children reach their greatest possible independence. Volunteer - Join the over 200 generous people who donate their time to Perkins. Volunteer opportunities can be read on the Web at www.Perkins.org; Volunteer Program, 617-972-7224, or Volunteers@Perkins.org Donate - Financial support from people driven by compassion, foresight and generosity enables Perkins to make a difference in so many lives. Development Office, 617-972-7328, or Development@Perkins.org. Visionary Society - Leadership donors who contribute $500 or over become members in Perkins Visionary Society. Development Office, 617-972-7328, or Development@Perkins.org Staff - Employees are the heart of Perkins' many programs. Learn about job opportunities and even apply on-line at www.Perkins.org; Personnel office, 617-972-7210, or Recruiter@Perkins.org Tours - Tours for school groups and civic organizations can be scheduled between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday for as many as 20 people. Tours@Perkins.org Referrals - Visit Perkins Website to learn about different programs and referral information at www.Perkins.org Photo caption: Students at The Thomas and Bessie Pappas Horticulture Center. MEMORIAL & HONORARY GIFTS: Honor a friend or family member through the Tribute Program at Perkins. Gifts made "in memory" commemorate the life of a loved one who has passed away, while a gift made "in honor" celebrates a special occasion such as a birthday, graduation, anniversary, or other important event. A moving testimonial to a friend or loved one, tribute gifts support the important programs at Perkins and make a difference in the lives of students who are blind, deafblind or have multiple disabilities. After we receive your tribute, we send a letter to the bereaved family or the person being honored to inform them of your kindness. We also send you a note to thank you for your generosity. The amount of your gift is always kept confidential. All gifts are tax-deductible. We are often asked what amount should be sent for a memorial or in honor gift. A good rule of thumb is to send what you would spend on flowers. Many gifts range from $50 to $500 or more. But, the only "right" amount is the one your heart tells you to send. To make a tribute gift, please send your check to: Perkins School for the Blind, 175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472 Attn: Development Office, Tribute Program. Or, call (617) 972-7328 to make a donation with your MasterCard, VISA, American Express or Discover Card. Please be sure to include the full name and address of the person to whom you wish us to acknowledge your gift. Bequests - The gifts and bequests of Perkins friends make it possible for the School to sustain the excellent quality of service that has become the Perkins hallmark over the past 175 years. While a few foundations and government grants enable Perkins to initiate new programs, the consistent support of donors makes possible our daily academic, residential and home-based programs. You can make a bequest to Perkins School for the Blind by creating a new will, adding a codicil to your current will, designating Perkins as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, or including Perkins in your revocable trust or other estate plan. The following language may be used for an outright gift by will. Specific dollar amount for unrestricted use: I give (________________) dollars to the Perkins School for the Blind, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Percentage amount for unrestricted use: I give (__________) percent of the residue of my estate to the Perkins School for the Blind, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These examples may be tailored to best suit your interests. For more information please contact the Treasurer of the Corporation as follows: Mr. Charles C. J. Platt, Treasurer Planned Giving Office Perkins School for the Blind 175 North Beacon Street Watertown, Massachusetts 02472 (617) 972-7284 Photo caption: Students and staff at Perkins Annual St. Patrick's Day tea. Photo credits: American Anti-Slavery Group: 14 Bruce Blakeslee: 3 (bottom), 5 (bottom), 7 (bottom), 16, 18-19 Heather Bohm-Tallman, 10 (left), 12 Courtesy of Diane Schuur: 11 John Kennard: 2 Denny Family: 6 (top right) Gayzagian Family: 6 (bottom right) Nick Nixon: 3 (top), 6 (bottom left) � Perkins Photo Library: 3 (2nd top), 4, 5 (top), 7 (top left & right), 8, 9, and 15 Na Laga'at: 3 (2nd bottom), 10 (right) Underwood Family, 6 (top left) � US Postal Service, Russ Carney: 13 Darick Wright: cover. Editor: Robert Guthrie Perkins School for the Blind Perkins School for the Blind was incorporated March 2, 1829. The school is an accredited member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the National Association of Independent Schools. It is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Education and Mental Retardation and by the Commonwealth's Office of Child Care Services. Perkins School for the Blind admits students of any race, gender, color, creed, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, creed, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship, and athletic and other school-administered programs.